Analyzing Song Lyrics - Literary Elements in Music (for any song)

With this song analysis lesson, students practice analyzing song lyrics for literary elements. They treat the song as a text and use textual evidence to support their claims. This is a fun, low-stakes way to practice analytical writing.

✅ Full lesson

✅ Student samples

✅ 15 Songs to Analyze in ELA

What other teachers are saying about this resource:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This was a great way to review literary elements and move my students into true analysis.” -Ashleigh S.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I am excited to remind my students that language arts extends beyond essays and books!” -Erin H.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “The plot diagrams and the figurative language are GREAT and perfect for a mini-lesson before reading something longer.” -Stephanie A.

Your Analyzing Song Lyrics resource includes:

1. Full Song Analysis lesson plan for Interactive Notebooks, paper, or digital
2. Student samples & suggested answers
3. List of 15 songs and rationale for their use to teach various literary elements and figurative language
4. Plot diagrams with guiding questions (paper + digital)
5. Question bank for written analysis

Example Song Suggestion:

“The House That Built Me” by Miranda Lambert

“I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing.”

With imagery like “handprints on the front steps,” the lyrics to this song evoke a strong feeling of nostalgia. In literature, ‘home’ is often more than a physical place, it’s a metaphor. Students could explore that idea by reading the lyrics to this song along with some classic poetry such as, “The Self-Unseeing” by Thomas Hardy, “Home is so Sad” by Philip Larkin, or “The Props assist the House” by Emily Dickinson. This is great practice of CCSS.RL.9-10.7, comparing the development of a theme in two mediums.

So, whether you choose the songs for students or you let them choose their own, you will get a high-level analysis of literary elements in songs!

Looking for more resources?

This resource is part of my Short Stories Unit for Interactive Notebooks!

You may also enjoy my Escape Room resources and Collaborative Bellringers!

Feedback & Followers

Did you know that you can receive credit towards future TpT purchases by reviewing this product? If you enjoy this product, please leave a review at the product page or through “My Purchases” under “My Account” at TpT. Ratings make the TpT world go round. :)

You can also follow me for the latest news on products and sales.

If you have any questions, I’d love to hear from you!

-Danielle @ Nouvelle ELA